Two directional combustion engine



NOV. 28, 1944. REILAND 7 2,363,804

TWO DIRECTIONAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed March 20, 1943 :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 70 W I i Nov. 28, 1944. G. N. REILAND 2,363,804

TWO DIRECTIONAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed March 20, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ov. 28, 1944. G. N. REILAND TWO DIRECTIONAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed March 20, 1943 3 Sheets-$heet' 5 1rzears, I

rection of their power shafts. power is effected by reverse gears adapted to be Patented Nov. 28, 1944 UNITED TWO DIREoTIonAL ooM Us rroN nvonvlzv George N. Reiland, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., as-

signor to Frank D. Reiland, Chicago, Ill.

APDlication March 2-0, 1943, Serial No. 479,832 r e e e 15 Claims. (01. 123-41) This invention relates to new and usefulkimalso in counter-clockwise direction as may be desired. i

t With the exception of a few internal combustion marine engines which include complicated endexpensive mechanism for reversing their direction or operation, most combustion engines opcrating on the spark ignition or Diesel principle have no provision for reversing the operating di- Any reversal "of clutched to the power shafts. This condition has provision of a reciprocating connection between the engine power shaft and a revoluble element for imparting continuous movement'zin the desired directions, to the said valve operating and ignition mechanisms. Another object be effective to limit reversemovement of thejsaid valve operating and ignition mechanisms and e which, in the event'of suchlimited reverse movenisms moving in the desired directions.

prevailed in spite of the-fact that combustion en- Y gines having the capacity for reversing the op- A further object is to provide, in combinatio with a buffer device adapted to function as above mentioned, means automatically effective to move the buffer device out of its operating position when theengine attains a predeterminedspeed erating direction of their power. shafts present distinct advantages, in many situations, over the conventional structures in which the power shafts rotatein only onedirection. There is also a distinct advantage in operating any type of internal combustion engine in opposite directions, in that the wear on the bearings andvarious movable parts of the engine will be more equally'distributed, whereas in the one directional engine the wear, to a large extent, is localized, because of i the thrusts and pressures exerted on the parts,

for example on the bearings, shafts, pistons and cylinder walls, because of the continuous operation of the engine in one direction. a The present invention appertains particularly to the provision of improvements intwo directional engines, and 'hasas one of its principal objects the provision, in an engine of the above general class, improved constructions and arrangement-s of cooperating parts whereby, the power shaft of the engine may be rotated in either clockwiseor counter-clockwise directions, as may be desired, without changing the normal operating direction of the valve operating and ignition mechanisms orother operating parts of the engine.

-Another and more specific object of theinvention is to provide, in a combustion engine having a crank shaft operable in either forward or, re.-

verse directions, a simplified driving connection adapted or. required to be operated in timed relation to the movement of the engine pistons, may

be drivenin predetermined directions regardless of the direction of movement of saidpower shaft. In this connection, the invention contemplates the and which will permitthe said buffer to assume its operating position when the engine operation is slower than said predetermined speed.

Other objectsand advantages of theinvention will be apparent from thedetailed description of one preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. v

In the drawings l e f q Fig. 1 is a sideview, partly insection, of an internal combustion engine constructed and adaptedto operate in accordance with the principles of this invention. i

Fig. 2 is a. front view, with parts broken away, to illustrate a suitable means for operatively connecting the power, shaft of the engine with a revoluble member for imparting one directional movements to the valve operating and ignition mechanisms of the engine. ,1 I

Fig. 3 is a verticalfsection through a detent mechanism madein accordance with this inventionand cooperating with the said revoluble member to insure one directional movement of the valve operating and ignition mechanisms with out regard to the direction of movementof the powershaft. H

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 butshowing the detent moved out of the path of movement of said revoluble member.

,Figsl'5, 6, '7 and 8 are diagrammatic views illustrating the full cycle of the engine's operation in i one direction; and e Figs. 9, 10, 11 and12 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in which the detent mechanism functions to insure movement. of the valve and ignition mechanism in the proper direction when the power shaft is operated in the: reverse direction. w

The improvements is to provide in :a mechanism of the above character, abuffer device which will i of the present invention are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 embodied in an internal combustion engine which, for the most part, is of conventional construction.- It is a fourcylinder spark ignition engine constructed to operate on the four-cycle principle, This particular type of engine, however, is shown merely as a convenient structure for illustrating the principles of the present invention and is not intended as a limitation.

The engine herein shown includes a cylinder block ID, a power shaft ll, journaled in suitable bearings I2, l3 and I4 and provided with the usual crank portions IS. The piston connecting. rods I 6 are connected to the crank portions of the power shaft and to suitable pistons'l l which operate in the usual and well known manner to compress the fuel and transmit the force of the combustion thereof to the power shaft.

The cam shaft for opening the inlet and exhaust -valves associated with the several cylinders of theengine is indicated at l8. It is journal'ed in bearings l9, 20 and 2|, and is formed with eight cams designated collectively'by the" numeral 22, for actuatingthe valve tappets 23'. The cam shaft and ignition mechanisms in ,most engine structures now made for general use are normally operated in a predetermined direction, the cam shaft being operated by gear or belt connections with the power shaft. With such constructions, reverse movement of the crank shaft also reverses the operation ofthe valves and the. ignition mechanisms. (Jonsequently; such engines will not operate in a reverse direction.

In the present invention, the cam. shaft l3, the ignition distributor- 64', the oil pump 60, the fan 68" and the generator 69 are all operated in a continuous'direction, and at the same time permit; the power shaft of the engine tooperate in forward or reverse direction, as maybe desired.

The above results are accomplished by means of the following connections: The cam shaft I8 is provided with a timing gear 28 which meshes with a smaller'gear 29'. The smaller gear is mounted on a suitable stub shaft 30, extending outwardly from the cylinder block [0. In engines of the four cycle type, as herein illustrated,

the gears 28 and 29- have a two to one ratio so that the smaller gear will make two full revolutions for each revolution of the larger gear. The

small gear 29 is operatively connected to the power shaft of the engine so as to make one complete revolution for each revolution of the power shaft. This connection includes a connecting rod pivotally suspended from a crank pin 32 which has a fixed relation to the gear 29. The other end of the rod 3| is pivotally connected at 33 to a reciprocating slide member 34'. The said slide member is supported in suitable guideways 3535,

so as to avoid any lateral movement and is provided with a connecting rod 36 or" other suitable means for engaging a portion of the crank shaft adapted to impart. reciprocating movement to the slide member.

In the present, embodiment, the connecting rod 36 is pivotally connectedat one end to the slide at 31" and its other end is connected to a short An enlargement 44 substantially fits a cylindrical recess in the housing 43' and serves as an abutdead center position. However, the relative positions of the cranks H and 38 may be shifted, if desired.

When the engine crank shaft is in deadcente-r position, the shaft may be rotated in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions without affecting the normal movement of the engine piston.

When the engine crank shaft is in dead center position relative to the connecting rods 3|, 36 and the small gear 29., the crank shaft may be rotated from such position in either forward or reverse directions. However, in order to insure continued one directional movement of the gears 28' and 29, a locking cam 391s carried by the gear 29 and adapted tocooperate with a detent 40 so as to prevent reverse movement of the gears 28 and .29 beyond the point corresponding to the dead center position of the crank shaft l8.

The cam is formed with a suitable number of abutment shoulders 4! adapted, during a reverse movement of the crankshaft to a dead center position, to engage the outer end of a buffer member 42 of the said detent. Preferably, the abutment shoulders 4| and the end of. the buffer mem ber 42 are inclined from the vertical plane; as indicated best in Figs. 3 and 4, so that the said abutment shoulders: 4| will bear flat against the inclined end surface of the buffer member 42 before the cam is moved to aposition corresponding to the dead center of the crank shaft. The buffer member 42 of the detent is supported in the. housing 43 with capacity for lengthwise movement.

ment for one end of coil spring 415 interpbsed between the said enlargement 44 and the bottom face 46 of the cylindrical recess. The buffer member 42 is also provided with a. reduced portion 41 which enters a. center bore 48 in the. housing 43 and serves as a stop to limit the inward movement of the buffer member. The length of the. buffer member is such that the portion 41 will. engage the bottom surface of the bore 4 8 so as to. stopthe lengthwise movement of the buffer when, during a reverse movement of the cam- 39', either shoulder 4|- is brought to a position corresponding to the dead center position of the crank 38 relative to the connecting rod 36. The force exerted by the compressed spring 45, therefore, tends. to move the cam 39 in a clockwise direction as soon as the crank 39 moves beyond its said dead center position. The buffer member is retained within the housing by means of a split resilient ring 49 which fits in a groove 58 formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical recessnear the outer end of the housing. The bufier'member may be heldagainst rotation within. the housing by any suitable means; for example, a screw 5| may extend through the housing 43 into a slot 52 formed in the enlargement 44. The detent-401 is pivoted on a stud 53 which extends outwardly from. the engine block and is biased toward its cam engaging position by means of a spring 54 extending through an opening in the stud 53' and having its-other end extending through an open-- 'ing in .the lug 55' formed on the detent;- casing.

' tained a predeterminedspeed. Various "devices normal position as indicated in Fig. 3.

"cam member 39.

' beveled gear 66 on the distributorshaft 61.

other operating parts, includingthe fan 68 and means is shown for accomplishing the above purpose which consistsof a cylinder 56 adaptedto be fixed to the engine block. A piston 51 is fitted within the cylinder and is connected by means of a connecting link 58 with the housing 43 of the detent 40. A conduit 59 leads from the lower portion of the cylinder 56 to anoll pressure pump 60, positioned at any suitable location within the crank casing of the engine. The oil pump is pref erably driven by means of a shaft 6| provided at it'sflupper end with a gear 62 which mesheswith a gearfitf on the camshaft. It will be obvious, however, that thepump 60 can be driven from any other suitable operatingmember of the en'- gine so as to force the oil from the crank case into the cy1inder 56 beneath the piston 51 so as to move the detentmechanism 4|] from the position-shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. ,4 of the drawings. The oil pressure is used for i this purpose in the present embodimentso that the detent 40 will remainin the position indicated in Fig. 3 until the engine ha attaineda sufficient speed to build up an oil pressure in the said cylinder 56. As soon as the speed of the engine falls below that required to provide the.

necessary oil pressure, the detent will move to its The operation of theimproved mechanism this invention will be readily apparent from inspectionof the diagrams shownin Figs. 5 to 12, inclusive. The diagrams shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive indicate respective positions of the parts be readily understood from the previous descriptionbfthe diagrams in Figs; 5 to 12,inclusive,

that the combustionin the engine cylinder may take place ateither side of the deadcenter positionof the crank shaftfland have the same relationship with the down-stroke of "thepistons regardless of whether the crank shaft is rotated in a clockwise or in acounter-clockwise direction. With the timing deviceconnection tooperate from the cam shaft, as previously described, the operation is set for what may be considered. perfect operationin one direction of the' engine. 1 This. conditionwill prevail in' exactly the same manner for operation of the engine in the reverse direction. 1 r

While one preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

it will be understood that various modifications in structure, including different arrangements and the use of equivalent devices for accomplishingthe same result as herein described, maybe made, without departurefrom the principles of thisain'vention." Itwill be understood,.therefore,

when the engine crank shaft is rotated in a clockwise direction, for example when the engine is starting and before it has acquired sufficient speed to elevate the detent 40. Fig. 5. shows a dead center position of the crank shaft with the buffer rod 42 in engagement with the shoulder 4| of the The rotation of the engine crank shaft I I in the clockwise direction will necessarily move the cam 39 in the direction. in-

dicated by the arrow in Fig. 6 since it can not rotate in any other direction because of its engagement with said buffer rod 42. At the end of one-half revolution of the crank shaft the pivoted rods 3|, 36 are again in a dead center position, but the fixed rotation of the cam 39; will continue in a clockwise direction for the same that this invention contemplates all such modifications and equivalents Whichcome within the scope of the appended claims. .Iclaim:

1. In combination withthe power shaft of an internal combustion engine and a revoluble memher for imparting movements to otherparts of i the engine in, timed relation tothe movement of the power shaft; means for operatively con-y necting thepower shaft with the revoluble memher and buffer means positioned in the path of movement of said revoluble member for prevent-1'- ing movement thereof beyond a predetermined position in one direction regardless of the direc reason as previously mentioned in connection with Fig. 5. Assuming that the engine has come) torest in the positionindicated in Fig. 9, and the The ignition distributor 64 is driven by means of a direct connection with the cam shaft 18. Y

clockwise direction as shown in Figs. .11 and 12. F

This connection comprises preferably a beveled gear 65 on the camshaft which meshes with the All the generatorcSB which are normally driven in one direction, are preferably driven by connections with the camshaft, such, for example as pulleys 10,11 and IZand belt 13.

By reason of the reciprocating connection between the power shaft of the engine and the one directional revoluble members, such as the valve verse movement thereof during the initial operaoperating means and the ignition means, it will tion of the movement of the power shaft.

. i 2. In combinationwith the power shaft Oran.

internal combustion engine and a revoluble mem- .ber for imparting movements to other parts of i the engine in timed relation with the movement of the power shaft; reciprocating means for operatively connecting the power shaft with the first. .rev-oluble member, and buffer means. positioned in the path of movement of said revoluble member for preventing movement thereof beyond a predetermined position in one directionregardles of the direction of movement of the power shaft.- w i i r 3..In combination with the power shaft of an internal combustion engine and a revoluble member for impartingmovements to other parts of the engine in timed relation with the move- M ment of the power shaft means for operatively connecting the power shaft with therevoluble member, a buffer means positioned in the path of movement ofsaid revoluble member and effective during the initial movement of the power shaft of the engine to limit reverse movement of said revoluble member to a predetermined posi- 4. Incombination with the power shaft of an internal combustion engine and a revoluble memher for imparting movements to other parts of the engine in timed relation with the movement of the power shaft; reciprocating means for operatively connecting the power shaft with the movabel member, bufl'er means positioned in the path of said revoluble member for limiting, re-

tion of the engine, and means automatically effective, when the engine attains a predetermined speed, to move said buffer out of the path of movement of said revoluble member.

4 aaaaeoe 5., In combination with the power haft of an internal combustion, engine and a revoluble member for imparting movements to other parts of the; engine in timed relation with the movement of the power shaft reciprocating means for op,- eratively connecting, the power shaft with the movable member, a resilient buffer positioned in the path of movementof saidrevoluble member for preventing movement thereof beyond a predetermined position in one direction regardless of' the direction of movement of the'powershaft, and means automatically effective, when the engine attains a predetermined speed to move Said buffer out of the path of movement of said revoluble member.

6. In combination with the power shaft ofan internal combustion engine and a revoluble memberfor imparting movement to other parts of the engine in timed relation with the movement of the power shaft; reciprocating means for operat-ively connecting the power shaft with the movable member, a pivoted buffer positioned in the path of movement of said revoluble member for preventing movement thereof beyond a predetermined position in one direction during the initial operation of the engine, a fluid pressure means for moving the said buffer out of the path of movement of said revoluble member, when the engine attains a predetermined speed.

I '7. In combination with the power shaft of an internal combustion engine, which shaft is revoluble in opposite directions, and the valve operating and ignition mechanisms; means for operatively connecting the power shaft with said mechanisms comprising a reciprocating means operatively engaging the power shaft and said valve operating mechanism, means including a revoluble member associated with the valve operating mechanism, and a pivoted detent cooperating with said revoluble member for preventing movement of said valve operating means beyond a predetermined position in one direction.

8. In combination with the power shaft of an internal combustion engine, which shaft is revoluble in opposite directions, and the valve operating and ignition mechanisms; means for operatively connecting the power shaft with said mechanisms comprising a reciprocating means operatively engaging the power shaft and said valve operating mechanism, means including a revoluble member associated with the valveoperating mechanism and a pivoted detent cooperating therewith for preventing, movement of said valve operating mechanism beyond a predetermined position in one direction, and means driven by the said valve operating mechanism and adapted, when the engine attains a predetermined speed, to move said detent out of its engagement with said-revoluble member.

9. In combination with the power shaft of an internal combustion engine, which shaft is revoluble in opposite directions, and the valve operating and ignition mechanisms; means for opera- .tively connecting the power shaft with said mechanisms comprising a reciprocating means operatively engaging the power shaftand said valve operating mechanism, means including a revoluble member associated with said valve operating mechanism and a pivoted detent cooperating therewith for preventing movement of said valve operating means beyond a predetermined position in one direction regardless of the direction of movement of said power shaft, and "means driven by said valve operating mechanism and adapted, when the engine attains a. predeterber; means for operating said cam shaft in timed relation to the crank shaft comprising a reciprocating slide, a connecting rod pivotally attached at one-end to said revoluble member at a location spaced from its axis of rotation and having its other end pivotally attached to said slide, a sec,- ond connecting rodpivotally attached to said slide, member and having a crank attachment to said crank shaft, and means for insuring movement of the said cam shaft in a predetermined direction regardless of the operating direction of the crank shaft.

11. In combination with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine,.which shaft is revoluble in opposite directions, a cam shaft for actuating the inlet and exhaust valves of the engine and having operativeconnection with a revoluble member, whereby the cam shaft makes one-half rotation for each rotation of said revoluble member; means for operating said cam shaft in timed relation to the crank shaft comprising a reciprocating slide, a connecting rod pivotally attached at one end to said revoluble member at, a location spaced from its axis of rotation and having its other end pivotally attached tov said slide, a second connecting rod pivotally attached to said siide member-and having a crank attachment to said crank shaft, and means for insuring movement of the said cam shaft in a predetermined direction regardless of the operating direction of the crank shaft, comprising a detent for limiting reverse movement of said cam shaft.

1 In combination with the crank shaftof an internal combustion engine, which shaft is revoluble in opposite directions, ,a cam shaft for actuating the inlet and exhaust valves of the engine and having operative connection with a revoluble member, whereby the cam shaft makes one-half rotation for each rotation of said revoluble mem- ,ber; means foroperating said cam shaft in timed relation to the crank shaft comprising a reciproe eating slide, a connecting rod pivotally attached at one end to said revoluble member at a locamember to limit reverse movement of said cam shaft.

13. In combination with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, which shaft is rev0- luble in opposite directions, a cam shaft for actuating the inlet and exhaust valves of the engine and having operative connection with a revoluble member, whereby the cam shaft makes one-half rotation for each rotation of said revoluble member; means for operating said camshaft in timed relation to the crank shaft comprising a reciprocating slide, a connecting rod pivotally attached at one end to said revoluble memberat a locament of the said camshaft in a predetermined direction regardless of the operating direction of the crank shaft comprising a pivoted detent having a movable buifer rod cooperating with said revoluble member to limit reverse movement; of said cam shaft, and a coil spring on the buffer rod adapted, in theevent of reverse movement of said revoluble member to exert pressure against said member to force it in the desired direction.

14. In combination with the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, which shaft is revoluble in opposite directions, a cam shaft for actuating the inletand exhaust valves of the engine and having operative connection with a revoluble member, whereby the cam shaft makes one-half rotation for each rotation of said revoluble member; means for operating said cam shaft in timed relation to the crank shaft comprising a reciprocating slide, a connecting rod pivotally attached at one end to said revoluble member at alocation spaced from its axis of rotation and having itsother end pivotally attached to said slide, a

second connecting rod, pivotally attached to said i slide member and having a crank attachment to said crank shaft, means for insuring movement,

of the said cam shaft ina predetermined direction regardless of the operating direction of the crank shaft comprising a cam carried by said revoluble member, Ca pivoted detent having a movable bufler rod for cooperating with said cam to limit reverse movement of the said cam shaft, a coil spring on the buffer rod adapted, in the eventof reverse movement of said cam, to exert pressure against the cam to force it in'the desired direction, and means effectivewhen the engine attains a predetermined speed to move the detent free of said cam.

15. In combination withthe crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, which shaft is revoluble in opposite directions, a cam shaft for actuating the inlet andexhaust valvesof the engine and having operativeconnection with a revoluble I member, whereby the camshaft makes one-half rotation for each rotation of said revoluble member; means for operating said cam shaft in timed relation to the crank shaft comprising a reciproeating slide; a connecting rod pivotally attached at one end to said revoluble member at a location spaced from its axis of rotation and having its other end pivotally attached to said slide, a second connecting rod pivotally attached to said slide member and having a crankattachment to said crankshaft, means for insuring movement of the said cam shaftina predetermined direction regardless of the operating direction of the crank shaft comprising a cam carried by said revoluble member, a i pivoted detent having a movable buffer rod for cooperating with said cam to limit reverse movement of the said cam shaft,

acoil spring on the ,buffer rod adapted, inthe event of reverse movement of said cam, to exert pressure against the cam to force it in the desired direction, and means effective when the engine attains a predetermined speed to move thedetent free of said cam comprising an oilpressure pump,

a pressure actuated device connected to the ,detent, and a conduit connectingthe pressure actuated device with the oil pump.

GEORG N. m. 

